Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) praised many of the executive actions President Joe Biden took on his first day as the 46th president.
Contact:
Tim McHugh, media@fcnl.org,
202-903-2515
President Biden’s executive orders included issues covering immigration and climate matters. Biden issued orders to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, rescinded the ongoing travel ban from Muslim countries, and proposed legislation that provided a clear pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
“Thankfully, President Biden is not wasting any time reversing bad policy made over the last four years. It is important to set a clear administrative position early, and for Congress to now make these changes standing law,” said Diane Randall, FCNL’s general secretary. “The next 100 days will be packed with important domestic and foreign legislative priorities. Many FCNL goals are already getting long-sought attention. For us, the Biden presidency is off to a good, fast start.”
Aside from lifting the travel ban on Muslim countries, the president also halted new construction on the border wall and paused some deportations for the next 100 days.
“We welcome these first positive immigration moves the President made, including protecting DREAMERs and migrants fleeing gender-based and gang violence,” said Ali Rahnama, FCNL’s immigration and refugee program legislative manager. “We also applaud the administration’s rescinding the Muslim and African countries travel bans.”
President Biden also signed an executive order which begin the formal process of re-joining the Paris Climate Agreement, a treaty the previous administration withdrew from beginning in 2017.
“One of the best ways to re-engage with the global community is to join with the 189 other countries that are currently party to the Paris Climate Accords,” said Clarence Edwards, FCNL’s sustainable energy and environment legislative director. “It is one of the first crucial acts necessary as the U.S. and the world respond to the climate emergency.”
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
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